Official: Real Madrid duo, Atletico forward called up by France national team | OneFootball

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With the first international break of 2023 on the horizon, France national team manager Didier Deschamps has announced his squad for the upcoming set of fixtures, calling up two Real Madrid stars and an Atletico Madrid ace.

France will begin their qualifying campaign for the UEFA Euro 2024 this month with a home game against the Netherlands before facing off against the Republic of Ireland away.

And, Deschamps has named two Real Madrid stars in his 23-man squad for the crucial fixtures, with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni getting the call-up.

Tchouameni has grown into an integral part of the France setup under Deschamps and was an integral presence in their run-up to the finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. So, his inclusion does not come as a major surprise.

Camavinga, meanwhile, has been named on the list as a defender, indicating that Deschamps views the Real Madrid midfielder as a backup left-back, a position that the youngster has played in for both club and country in recent times.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann earns another call-up into the France squad, which is hardly surprising given that he is a major part of Deschamps’ plans.

Mbappe says he understands Griezmann’s disappointment regarding France’s captaincy

Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

French national team coach Didier Deschamps dropped a bombshell earlier this week, appointing Kylian Mbappe as the captain of the team, ahead of Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann.

The decision reportedly came as a shock to Griezmann, who is currently one of the senior players in the team and has played a key role in France’s ascension under Deschamps.

However, in his latest interview, Mbappe addressed the speculations over a potential row between him and Griezmann, suggesting that the former Barcelona captain is happy and has shown great determination in training.

“I talked to Antoine, he was disappointed and it’s understandable, it’s a reaction that can happen. I told him that I would have had the same reaction, he is perhaps the most important player of the Deschamps era,” Mbappe said (h/t Diario AS).

“I’m not his boss. We are going to be hand in hand, he and I, to try to make this French team reign worldwide. If he has something to say to the group, I sit down and listen. You don’t have to close the door to anyone, everyone is free to express themselves,” he added.

Mbappe, who has been linked with a potential move to Real Madrid in 2024, has had a growing stature in the French national team, especially after his heroic performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, even though it was not enough to seal the coveted trophy.

“I can assure you that Griezmann, since Monday, has been smiling. That he was disappointed at the time is legitimate. But that’s where it was. From what I see, everyone has the same goal regarding the objectives of the selection. Antoine is vice-captain, he has an important role as always. He is radiant, both in training and in group life,” Mbappe added, acknowledging Griezmann’s disappointment.

Griezmann’s snub as the captain of Les Bleus comes at a time when the forward is enjoying an excellent season at Atletico Madrid, with 21 goals involvement in 36 competitive matches. It appears the forward is getting back to his groove, after a forgettable spell at Barcelona.